Agencies have been told to take the next steps toward implementation of the Program Management Improvement and Accountability Act, which among other things requires OPM to assess the competencies of program and project managers.
A memo instructs CFO Act agencies—the two dozen Cabinet departments and largest independent agencies—to provide information that OPM said is “needed for the deployment of the competency assessment tool.” That is to include the point of contact coordinating the PMIAA competency assessment efforts within each agency; preferred timelines for participating in the assessment, which is to be done in phases starting in May; and a list of individuals to be granted administrative rights in the competency assessment tool.
“As you craft your responses, please keep in mind that while this tool will initially be used to support the PMIAA, it is also intended to be made available for general use, at agencies’ discretion,” it added.
The memo follows one issued in October launching a survey of those with such duties in various occupational series. The law also requires OPM to issue regulations that identify key skills and competencies needed for a program or project manager; establish a new job series or update and improve an existing job series, for such duties; and establish a new career path for them.